Singapore: The Love Affair that Began Once I Became a Parent (aka General Travel Tips)

When I was young and single, I thought Singapore was one of the dullest places on the planet, but once I had a child, I have begun to think of it as heaven on earth, from a baby-friendliness perspective, of course. Here’s why:

1) It’s clean and safe. Everything about Singapore is neat and functional. It often has a reputation for being “sterile” but as we parents know, you can’t be germ-free enough when you are traveling with kids! Besides, take a walk to one of Singapore’s bustling hawker centers if you want a taste of the spicier side of things.

2) Getting around is easy. Cabs are easy to hail (except during rush hour) and all malls have very well-organized taxi stands. You can even call a cab if you are having trouble for a small fee (S$2.50-3.00). The underground subway (MRT) is also easy to navigate and well-maintained, with elevators leading down and up from the platforms.

3) Most baby brands are represented in Singapore, because of its location in Asia Pacific and its popularity with Europeans. You can buy baby food, diapers, bottles, and everything else you need at well-stocked pharmacies and supermarkets.

4) English is the primary language (although the accent can be a bit tricky to decipher).

5) Domestic help is very common and easily available which means that you can go to restaurants, malls, coffee shops and find children left in the care of their attendants, giving mum and dad some time off. Further, all domestic help is well-regulated by the Singapore government, reducing the risk of criminal activity.

6) A quarter of Singapore’s population is expats, enabling the influx of varied influences into its food, culture and social dynamics.

The downsides: the weather is hot and humid all year around, and real estate is ridiculously expensive.

Overall, if you’d fancy a year or two away in another country but don’t want to die of culture shock, Singapore’s a great option. As a vacation spot, it also has the added advantage of being a portal to other hot holiday destinations in Asia such as Thailand and Malaysia.